SHAP TO WATCHGATE PIPELINE, Cumbria Archaeological Appraisal and Walkover Survey Report Second Revision

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) has been requested by United Utilities to examine the archaeological implications of the construction of a proposed pipeline route in southern
Cumbria. The section covered in this report extends from Shap, Cumbria, (NY 5615 1256) southwards along the line of the A6 to Watchgate, Cumbria (SD 5307 9815). The appraisal
was undertaken in January 2003. In addition to the appraisal a walkover survey was conducted in July 2003 for the entire pipeline route, along with additional documentary
appraisal for re-routed sections and an additional section of pipeline route, between Bleabeck Bridge and Salterwath Farm (NY 56877 09995 – NY 58300 09900).
The requirement of the study was for a rapid appraisal of the route. Consequently, the sources investigated were restricted to the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), the OS
First Edition maps, and a walkover survey, and only summary descriptions of the archaeological resource were compiled. Where possible, quantitative methods have been utilised in order to produce a more informative picture of the resource and the impact of the proposals upon it. This will, therefore, provide a basis for recommendations to protect the resource or provide appropriate mitigative measures.
From the SMR and walkover survey, seventy-nine sites were identified as being within a 200m corridor of the pipeline, one of which was identified as being a Grade II Listed
Building and one was a Hazard Area. The most significant sites identified are the possibly prehistoric cairnfield/enclosure (site 100) at Turnmire Bottom and the settlement/fieldsystem (Site 149) at Wasdale Foot.
The sites are rated according to their archaeological significance and status together with their rarity, condition, period and proximity to the proposed pipeline. In this way, it is recommended that sites with a high score necessitate the re-routing of the pipeline, whereas
sites with a low score require little or no further action.
The recommendations are presented in tabular form. These seek to preserve in situ the resource where possible. If it is not possible to avoid the important sites then options for evaluation and recording as a preliminary to further recording, as mitigation are presented. Those sites of lesser importance can be recorded by means of a watching brief during the construction process.
The results show that the proposed pipeline will affect landscapes of archaeological importance. A re-route is recommended to avoid the High Borrow Bridge and Old Wasdale
Bridge associated with the 1753 turnpike between Shap and Kendal. The pipeline route should be re-routed around the Wasdale Foot settlement (Site 149), and the undated
earthworks at Tunnel Bridge (Site 140) and Salterwath Farm (Site 153). It is also recommended that an extensive evaluation of the northern section (Site 172) around
Demings House (Site 155) is undertaken, particularly in the vicinity of the Shap Stone Avenue and the cairn enclosure complex. A small number of sites will need to be avoided
within the 15m easement of the pipeline. A survey and watching brief should be conducted at the Turnmire Bottom cairnfield (Site 100) even though the line of a previous pipeline easement cuts the site and the new pipeline will follow the line of the earlier pipe